It's a signing that - as we have come to expect from Mark Evans in the last two years - is bold, adventurous and entirely in the glamorous tradition of the club. It completes an impressive line up for 2002/03.

Satala burst on to the world scene in the Rugby World Cup in 1999 playing in all four of Fiji's games and scoring four tries, including one in the bruising second round clash against England. That game that ended Fiji's tournament, and effectively put paid to England's as well, coming a few short days before our encounter with South Africa. If Fiji had a good world cup, Satala had an excellent one - he was described by Stephen Jones as "the best outside centre of the 1999 World Cup".

Since then Satala has been a regular for Fiji and I calculate he now has 30 caps, and has scored 15 tries for his country. He's fresh from the Pacific Tri-Nations tournament and the qualifying games for the 2003 World Cup, most recently played alongside ex Quin Norman Ligairi against NZ (against whom he scored the only try) and Samoa. As well as the fifteen-a-side game, he's also a regular sevens player, playing regularly for Fiji since 1994, most recently in the Hong Kong Sevens and shortly in Manchester. He's also been picked at least twice for the Barbarians.

It wasn't only Jones' eye that Satala caught in RWC99. In Oct 99, immediately after the tournament he left his native Fiji to join the French side Mont-de-Marsan (also known as Stade Montois) which he leaves to join Quins.

His time at Montois probably hasn't been the easiest for him: in Feb 2000 his first season with them was overshadowed when he and another player tested positive for cannabis in a random post-match test. After some procrastination from the FFR, this eventually led to a two month ban which he served in August and September 2000.

The 2000/2001 season probably wasn't any easier either, as Montois struggled throughout and ended up second from bottom in their pool, meaning they were relegated to D2 (along with no fewer than four other clubs, the French don't mess about in this respect!) So last season Vili found himself in the less-than-optimum situation of playing second division rugby in France while still continuing to play both seven and fifteen a side rugby for his country. The club vs country issue is no easier to handle in France than it is over here, and things came to a head earlier this year when Montois, vying for top place and a badly needed promotion spot, refused to release Satala for the Santiago round of the world sevens.. Instead he remained at home to help his club secure the D2 championship and gain promotion back to first division rugby next season.

Born on 19/7/72 Satala stand 6' 2" and weighs 98kg. As a player he's known for his strength and his sidestep - but most of all for his extremely hard tackles. In fact a search on the net reveals that he mainly makes the news for bone-crunching tackles. Assuming he can avoid too many spells in the bin for Quins, I actually think this sort of aggression will be welcome in our side. On top of this he is a fast, aggressive player, with proven try-scoring ability, and masses of big game experience.

Quins are in danger of creating a Fijian tradition under Evans, as Satala follows in the footsteps of his Fijian team mate Norman Ligairi who spent the better part of last season with the club, without once being picked for the first team (the rumour that Norm recommended Quins to Vili, as the cushiest job he could ever get is not to be believed!). With the head of the Fiji Rugby Union Pio Bosco Tikoisuva also being an ex-Quin, our Fijian links are stronger than ever.

Satala is already enjoying a warm welcome from Quins fans, who are looking forward with some anticipation to his first game. Our recent poll shows overwhelming support for a 'dream pairing' of Greenwood and Satala in the centres - and with rising star Chris Bell also available Paul Turner will be spoilt for choice.

In summary, it's easy to see why the club were attracted to this player - a big aggressive, experienced centre, not just a cover for Greenwood, Bell and Greenstock, but also - I would say - pushing them very hard for a first team spot. Vili becomes only the second overseas-registered player in the squad (the other being Ace) so without the competition for limited spaeces, he should easily will manage more games than the unfortunate Norm.

The last word belongs to The Real Sambo who should always be recognised as the founder member of the Vili Satala fan club: " I don't think anybody really understands how good Vili Satala actually is. He is the greatest in the world, with out a doubt. When he finally arrives people will start to realise this...Satala will be the top try scorer for Quins next season and you will be amazed by his silky running. The guy has everything. A safe bet for overseas player of the season next year. He's just tooooooo good!!!!"

Links:
Fijian Player Profiles
Mont de Marsan
French D2 League Table
Fiji Sevens squad leave for Manchester

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